50th anniversary of Malcolm X assassination marked in New York

NEW YORK – Activists, actors, and politicians will remember civil rights leader Malcolm X with a ceremony at the New York site in Harlem where he was killed 50 years ago.

About 300 people are expected to hear remarks Saturday from one of Malcolm X’s six daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz, as well as U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel and other elected officials.

The ceremony is being held at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in Harlem, formerly known as the Audubon Ballroom. Malcolm X was shot to death there Feb. 21, 1965, as he was preparing to address several hundred followers.

By the time he died, the Muslim leader had moderated his militant message of black separatism and pride but was still very much a passionate advocate of black unity, self-respect and self-reliance. Three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of murder in his death…